Abstract 13642: Post-Operative Bleeding Risk in TAVR Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Introduction: Antithrombotic medications are the subject of multiple transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) randomized control trials. Pragmatically, decisions are complicated by conditions such as atrial fibrillation (AF) that also require lifetime anticoagulation. Our study examines antithrombotic medications in a real-world cohort to identify risk factors for bleeding by 1-year post-TAVR. Methods: This retrospective study includes 844 patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR between 2015 and 2020. Pre- and post-operative medications, comorbidities, and 1-year outcomes were recorded based on review of the medical record. Antithrombotic regiment decisions were made on a case-by-case basis. Bleeding classification followed VARC2 definitions. Patients were stratified into two groups based on history of AF. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors of bleeding. Results: Among the 844 patients, 290 had comorbid AF (34%). Patients with AF were older (80.3 vs 77.8 years; p<0.001), more frequently had cardiovascular comorbidities, and had lower LVEF (52.4% vs 56.8%; p<0.001). Patients with AF were more likely to experience major or life-threatening bleeding (10% vs 5%; p<0.001), but there were no differences in rates of myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, nor death by 1-year follow-up. After controlling for risk factors including anticoagulation and increases to antithrombotic regiment post-operatively, the independent risk predictors of major or life-threatening bleed included female sex [OR 1.522 (1.118-1.741); p=0.018], severe baseline anemia [2.938 (1.146-7.533); p=0.025], and atrial fibrillation [2.195 (1.206-3.997); p=0.010]. Conclusions: Female sex, severe baseline anemia, and comorbid atrial fibrillation are predictors of major or life-threatening bleed by 1 year in patients undergoing transfemoral TAVR, independent of antithrombotic regiment.